3 Songs You Didn’t Know Actress Sissy Spacek Wrote, Including One Co-Written With Loretta Lynn

In 1969, a young folky teen sang a song about her disappointment in John Lennon. Calling herself Rainbo, 19-year-old Sissy Spacek released her debut single “John, You Went Too Far This Time,” a letter-like song to Lennon on his controversial album cover.

Though the single fell flat, it was a blessing in disguise for Spacek, who had moved from Quitman, Texas to New York City to pursue a music career. Shortly after its release, Spacek redirected her focus on acting and enrolled in Lee Strasberg’s Actors Studio. Early on, Spacek landed a part as an extra in Andy Warhol‘s 1970 film Trash before her 1972 film debut in the thriller Prime Cut alongside Lee Marvin and Gene Hackman, Badlands in ’73, and her breakout as the telekinetic high school outcast in the 1976 Brian De Palma horror Carrie.

By ’79, Spacek returned to singing and took on the role of Loretta Lynn in the 1980 movie Coal Miner’s Daughter, earning her an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1981. She also sang all of Lynn’s songs featured in the film and for the soundtrack, which went to No. 2 on the Country chart and picked up a Grammy nomination.

In December 1979, Spacek recorded her version of Lynn’s 1971 classic “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” which was also released as a single—along with a B-Side of Lynn’s 1960 hit “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl”—and peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went to No. 7 on the Canadian Country chart. The song also earned the actress a Grammy nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her version of “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” placing her up against Lynn’s sister Crystal Gayle, nominated for “If You Ever Change Your Mind.”

By 1983, Spacek returned to recording her music and released her debut album Hangin’ Up My Heart, featuring two songs she co-wrote (including one with Lynn).

Here’s a look at three songs Spacek wrote and recorded throughout her career.

[RELATED: Loretta Lynn’s Other Ode to Father: “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like My Daddy”]

“C’mon Teach Me to Live,” Rainbo (1969)

Written by Sissy Spacek and B. Blalock

Following the release of John Lennon and Yoko Ono‘s 1968 debut album together, Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins, a then 19-year-old actress Sissy Spacek, performing under the pseudonym Rainbo, released a song in response to their release. “John, You Went Too Far This Time” covered all her mixed emotions about Lennon after the revealing album cover.

I love the things you showed me up til now, John / But since that picture, I don’t think my love will be the same sings young Spacek referencing the controversial Two Virgins album cover featuring Lennon and Ono completely nude.

In Spacek’s defense, she didn’t write the Lennon song. It was credited to J. Marshall and R. Dulka, but she did co-write the B-side track “C’mon Teach Me to Live.”

“He Don’t Know Me”

Written by Sissy Spacek

After singing on the soundtrack for Coal Miner’s Daughter, Spacek returned to recording music and released her debut album Hangin’ Up My Heart, produced by Rodney Crowell and featured Roseanne Cash on backing vocals and Vince Gill as a session musician and singer.

The album went to No. 17 on the Country chart and produced three singles, including “Lonely but Only for You,” written by K.T. Oslin, Charlie Black, and Rory Michael Bourke, a Top 20 hit at No. 15, along with “If You Could Only See Me Now” and “If I Can Just Get Through the Night.”

On the album, Spacek also covers Hank Williams‘ “Honky Tonkin’” and is credited as the sole writer on the pop-leaning “He Don’t Know Me,” one of two songs she wrote for Hangin’ Up My Heart.

“Smooth Talkin’ Daddy”

Written by Sissy Spacek and Loretta Lynn

A second song Spacek wrote for Hangin’ Up My Heart was a co-write with Loretta Lynn. The country-tipped “Smooth Talkin’ Daddy” was about a silver-tongued man who met his match with a fast-thinking mama.

Before the Coal Miner’s Daughter film was released, Lynn and Spacek performed together at the Grand Ole Opry in ’79 singing Lynn’s “You Ain’t Woman Enough (to Take My Man),” and their friendship continued decades past the movie. Spacek even accepted the CMT 2018 Artist of a Lifetime award on Lynn’s behalf.

“The world lost a magnificent human being,” said Spacek following Lynn’s death in 2022. “Loretta Lynn was a great artist, a strong and resilient country music pioneer, and a precious friend. I am heartbroken.”

Photo: Actress Sissy Spacek (l) joins country music singer and guitarist Loretta Lynn on stage, 1980. (Fotos International/Getty Images)